Device for damping the recoil of the barrel in guns of all calibers



Jan. 159, 1932. N E METHL|N 1,841,969

DEVICE FOR DAMPING THE RECOIL THE BARREL IN GUNS OF ALL CALIBERS Filed May 25, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTOR N EYS Jari. 19, 1932,. N. E. METHLIN DEVICE FOR DAMPING THE REG'DIL OF THE BARREL IN GUNS OF ALL CALIBERS Filed May 25, 1951 2 Shee S-Sheeb 2 av j www/,M Lamy'- ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 19, 1932 STATES aaneen NICOLAS EMILIEN METHLIN, F PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGN'OR TO SCHNEIDER 8a GIE., OF PARIS, FRANCE, A LIMITED JOINT-STOCK. COMPANY OF FRANCE DEVICE FOR DAMPING THE RECOIL OF THE BARREL IN GUNS OF ALL CALIBERS Application filed May 25, 1931, Serial No. 539,916, and in France June 16, 1930.

In order to avoid impact shocks in guns, `due to a too `sudden running out of the barrel under the action of the recuperators, use is generally made at present of a run out valve mounted at the end of the proled counter rod upon which the piston rod of the recoil brake moves.

rlhis valve which, during recoil, is in the open position and Vpermits the braking liquid to pass freely from the back to the front of the chamber lformed at the end of the fixed b rake rod, becomes Lon the contrary pressed on its seat as soon as the running out stroke commences and it thus permits the return of i5 the liquid from the chamber behind the piston into the brake cylinder to be restrained,

as this return flow can only take place through the annular space left between the valve and the cavity in the brake rod.

Although this known device most frethough it permits the return to battery position to be effected without shock when firing at high angles, becomes too powerful when firing at low angles or on the horizontal; or,

5- stated more exactly, the normal valve for checking the running out stroke does not give sufficient security against impact shocks at the end of the return to battery position when firing under such conditions.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device which enables these disadvantages to be overcome.

The invention consists essentially of an additional valve combined with the main i valve and lodged in a cavity in the counter brake rod and the counter rod.

The additional valve is normally maintained by the pressure of the liquid in a position in which it closes the axial duct of the counter rod, and it opens under the action of an opposing spring when, towards the end of the return to battery position, the pressure which acts upon it has become suitably reduced.

' Consequently, the liquid can at this moment return from the brake rod chamber towards the brake reservoir through an increased section, the effect of which is to reduce the braking 'effect dueto the main valve and permit the return to battery position to be completed in a sufficiently rapid manner and without shock.

One'practical form of 'construction of lthe invention is illustrated by way of example .in the accompanying drawings:

Figures 1 and l, when joined along the broken lines, constitute a longitudinal sectional elevation of a recoil brake with counter rod and run-out valve of known type, combined with the device forming the subject of the invention. In these igures the members are shown in the position they occupy at the commencement of the recoil of the barrel,

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 2 2 in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 3 3 in Figure 1,

Figures 4l and 4a when joined along the broken lines constitutel a sectional elevation of a part, eorrespondingto that shown in Figures 1 and la, the members being shown in the position they occupy at the commencement of the running out stroke, y

Figures 5 and 5a, when joined along the broken lines, constitute a similar view to that shown in Figures 1 and 1a showing the members in the position they occupy towards the end of the running out stroke.

In these figures, a is the cradle of a gun to which cradle the hollow piston rod b is connected by one of its ends; o is the brake cylinder to which the profiled counter rod Z is secured; e is the usual valve which serves to check the running out stroke by throttling the passage of the liquid from the chamber b1 to the chamber @1 of the brake cylinder, the flow only taking place through the annular space left between the valve e and the internal wall of the rod Z), on account of the fact that the valve c bears against the shoulder Z1 on the counter rod.

According to the invention, this known device for checking the movement of return to battery position is completed. by the addition of a valve f lodged in a chamber Z2 formed in the counter rod CZ. This chamber Z2 communicates with the annular` space g between the counter rod g and the hollow rod Z) through an axial duct Z3 and two or more radial ducts Z4 in the counter rod.

The valve f carries a collar f1, which is adjustable in position and which is shown in elevation in Figure 3. In a notch f2 on this collar engages one end of a spring Zzy the other end of which bears upon the rear end of the chamber cZ2. The valve j is hollow and comprises orifices f3 on its rear closed end. It will preferably be guided in the chamber ZL by ins f4.

When at rest, the members occupy the position shown in Figures l and la; the main valve e, like the additional valve f preserves, with respect to the counter rod d, the relative position indicated in this figure, during the whole period of recoil.

As soon as the movement of return to battery position commences and the action of the recuperator intervenes, the brake cylinder commences to move with respect to the fixed piston; the pressure of the liquid in the chamber b1 presses the valve ye upon the shoulder Z1 (Figures 4 and 4a) at the same time the valve f moves into the position shown in this ligure, thus closing the communication between the chamber 1 and the axial duct d3.

Towards the end of the running out stroke, at the moment when the usual valve e moves, in the recess g in the piston rod, into a position in which the annular space is considerably reduced, (Figures 5 and 5a), the action of the additional valve intervenes on account of the fact that the pressure, in the chamber b1, is at this moment suitably reduced, on account of the reduction in speed of the mass returning to battery position) for the effect of the opposing spring la to become the greater and compel the said valve f to lift from its seat. A communication is consequently established between the chamber Z1 and the annular space g1 through the cavity in the valve f, the orifices f3, the axial duct (Z3 and the radial ducts Z".

Consequently the liquid in the chamber b1V will flow through a suitably enlarged section towards the brake cylinder, and from this moment the braking effect resulting from the action of the valve e is suitably reduced, so that the running out stroke can be completed without shock.

Claim:

A device for providing a greater safeguard against impact shocks occurring at the end of the running out stroke when tiring at low angles of elevation, particularly in the case of guns capable of firing at high angles of elevation and provided with a recoil brake having a counter rod and run out valve (e), consisting of an additional valve combined with the main valve and lodged in a cavity (d2) in the counter rod communicating through an axial duct (d3) in the latter and through orifices (di) leading into this duct, with the annular space (g) between the interior of the brake rod and the counter rod, situated behind the said main valve, the said additional valve (f) being normalf ly maintained by the pressure of the liquid in a position in which it closes the axial duct in the counter rod, while it is withdrawn under the action of a return spring (7L) when the pressure of the liquid which acts upon it is conveniently reduced towards the end of the running out stroke.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

NICOLAS EMILIEN METI-ILIN. 

